winter private guiding

guiding preview

Whether you are looking to be guided, wanting in depth one-to-one tuition or perhaps just looking for some company on the hill we can offer you a professional and friendly service. You can either come alone or arrange for a group day with your own friends.

We also offer instruction or supervision for larger group bookings. Over many years of experience we have accumulated a depth of experience with a variety of clients of different ages, capabilities and levels of experience. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

Discounts are available for bookings of 1 day or more and for more than 1 person – which makes for quite reasonable rates. We also have a differing tariff for non-technical and technical guiding. Please phone to discuss your aspirations whether you have a particular winter or summer climb or mountain walk in mind or if you just wish to brush up on your navigational or other outdoor skills. We have also specialised in refresher courses for those who are preparing for or re-taking their NGB mountain courses – particularly Winter & Summer ML, MIA etc.

Prices from £150 – £180 per day

Please contact us to discuss your aspirations and we will be more than happy to put together a programme for you and provide a quote. We can also arrange guiding outside of the main Scottish winter season. The main object of any guiding session will deal with moving safely through major Scottish Mountains in winter conditions from an introduction for winter novices to basic winter skills covering all the essential knowledge to give a solid skills base to venture into the hills in winter to an introduction to leading on snow & ice

Maximum Ratio | 1:3 Technical; 1:6 Non-Technical.

On a non-technical basis ( where a rope is only used for safety or confidence) we will work to a maximum of 1:6; On a more technical climbs we will work to a maximum of 1:3 depending on the level of the climb) . Private Guiding is also available on the basis of all our main stream courses at any time to suit clients on a 1: 1 ( or 1:2 etc.) basis @ £ 150 – 180 per person per day – depending on the grade of winter mountaineering / climb / mountain walking etc.

Number of Days’ : | 1 – 5 days

We have in place a sliding scale where extra persons are charged £ 45 or £ 85 extra per person per day up to a maximum of 6 or 3, depending on the technical level of activity.

It does sometimes happen that the pre-dated course numbers are low. In this case – if you wish to book on a course as an individual – we will give you the option of booking and paying the same course fee as quoted BUT for a reduced number of days. In this way you will find that, while the costs remain the same, you will get a more in depth level of instruction in a shorter time – maybe saving overall on accommodation costs. Or if you wish you can take the chance – pay Private Guiding fees for a 1:1 or maybe 1:2 ratio – on the chance that others will join the course – in which case we would charge the going rate for the course of your choice. We have put this in place to make matters clearer and easier for the clients who telephone us to ask if courses are actually going to run – and how many others there are on a course

What is included

Our winter mountain prices include: – All technical gear is supplied but if you do not have them ice axe, crampons will need to be hired at extra cost from us along with suitable stiff winter boots.

We provide harnesses; helmet; all technical climbing gear such as karabiners; belay plates etc; all survival and safety gear; ropes. Please see our Winter Kit List. Not included in our standard basic prices: -suitable winter boots; ice axe or crampons; map & compass; rucksack; any personal clothing – however most of these items can be provided or hired economically from us on site from our stores. Gondola uplift tickets at Nevis Range are also required for possibly the first one or two days – depending on the weather conditions.

Programme Itinerary

Except for an initial briefing & essential Winter Mountain Safety talk the course will all take place out “on the hill”. What we cover on our guiding days with you will depend entirely on your previous experience and skills level plus your own aspirations.

Times & Meeting

We normally meet at 09.00 hrs at our meeting / lecture room at Snowgoose Mountain Centre. On weekend courses you need to be with us latest by 19.00 hrs on the Friday evening for the briefing / Winter Mountain Safety Talk / fitting of boots & crampons so that we can all maximise a full day on the hill on Saturday. We usually come off the hill by 17.00 hrs. Please plan your travel arrangements around these times.

Location

Depending on the wishes of the group, the prevailing weather conditions & the number of guiding days the first day at least will normally be spent at Aonach Mor using the gondola up lift to maximise day light hours & snow conditions.